Strategic Shifts in the global power structure

by: Dr.Fariborz Saremi, Strategic analyst

Aug 20th 2022

The world is witnessing strategic shifts in the global power structure and
complex economic dilemmas amid food, energy, and debt crisis. Ultimate
chaos is snowballing, countries have resorted to hard power to end
longstanding conflicts against the backdrop of the chaotic US withdrawal
from Afghanistan and the recent Russian war against Ukraine that poses
and weakens the European bloc particularly it has politically and
economically weakened Germany the so called Locomotive of the EU.
The decline in US prestige has weakened the trust of allies , they no longer
believe in the ability of the US to uphold their security nor to protect their
interests. The United States Middle Eastern allies and others have started
to search for new allies, delinking themselves from dependency on the
United States. The United States is well aware that its image as the
unchallengeable leader of the free world and the leader of the International
Order has been dealt a massive blow.
As a result, it is exerting efforts on multiple levels ( political , economic and
military) to maintain its exclusive hegemony over the global order. The US
has promoted America’s space program and capabilities , with it
emphasizing that no other Superpower has achieved the same level of
success in space. Also President Biden hurried to Israel and Saudi Arabia
to reassure US allies that the US had the capability to breach the most
heavily fortified positions on Earth, and to send a message to the rest of the
world that the United States is still capable of fighting terrorism, despite its
withdrawal in Afghanistan. This happened after the CIA operatives used an
advanced missile to kill al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The response of PRC, which is rapidly rising in the International arena
although economically weekend since 2015/16 , to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
demonstrated the relevance of emerging global powers in striking a
balance in their relations with the US. Contrary to the image that President
Biden wants to depict to the world about the true scope of PRC power , it
has been made clear that Beijing is a geopolitical heavyweight wielding

significant impact , and with serious standing and influence over
International affairs. PRC made calculated escalatory moves, starting with
it conducting three days of military drills with live ammunition in six vital
locations in Taiwan’s territorial waters off key Taiwanese ports. Through
this the PRC sought to send messages to Taiwan, the US and the US allies
in South Pacific that Beijing can control Taiwan’s exports and imports and
tightly besiege it, strangling it and even invading and imposing control over
it if the need arises.
Additionally, following Pelosi’s visit Beijing launched 11 ballistic missiles
into the waters around Taiwan’s northeast and southeast coasts.
Intelligence outlets noted that these missiles traveled through Taiwanese
airspace and toward the Japanese Economic Zone, which is located about
2000 kilometers from Taiwan. The launch conveys to President Biden the
fact that PRC are capable of reaching American military bases in Japan.
In conclusion, it can be said that the US policy to undermine the confidence
of its allies in the Middle East and beyond in Washington’s rivals , and a
challenge rising world powers such as Russia and the PRC, has yet to bear
fruit. The weaponization of sanctions did not prevent Russia from achieving
its objectives from the invasion of Ukraine. Moreover this war plunged the
EU particularly Germany into a strategic limbo against the backdrop of
Moscow’s adept use of the gas lever against the European powers to deter
from supplying Ukraine with weapons and logistical support.
The German politicians such as Gerhard Schröder(SPD) and even the right
wing German Policymakers (CDU) miscalculated in their energy policies
and are now being blackmailed by Russia.

Dr. Fariborz Saremi is a strategic analyst based in Hamburg. He is a
member of the Hamburg branch of the foreign and security policy
committee of the German Christian Democratic Party. He is the
President of the Iranian National Unity Movement in Germany.Dr.Sa

remi is a contributor to the Defense& Foreign Affairs-Strategic
Policy Journal.